Philly guitarist and songwriter Tom Hamilton has worked with forward-thinking jammers Brothers Past, Disco Biscuits and Kurt Vile, and tonight he brings his long-running American Babies project to Ardmore Music Hall. It’s always been an eclectic group, drawing on the fringes of CSNY-esque folk to Built to Spill style indie rock. Its latest, An Epic Battle Between Light and Dark, comes out March 18th via Royal Potato Family, and tonight American Babies light up Ardmore Music Hall. Tickets and more information can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar. Listen to the new song “synth driver” below. Continue reading →

Photo by Hannah PautlerPhilly garage rock dudes RFA open the show for The Once Was tonight at MilkBoy. The four-piece has a Strokes-y sense of swagger and reverence for catchy, vintage rock and roll. Last summer, they placed second in World Cafe Live’s Beta Hi-Fi competition and will be recording a new EP with their winnings this January. Below, check out their Up Late in the Evening EP and get tickets and info on tonight’s show here. Continue reading →

For the past seven years, infectious New York folk / pop trio The Spring Standards have headed to Delaware over the holidays to headline packed houses at Arden Gild Hall. It’s a sort of homecoming for them – even though their career has been based in NYC, the bandmates grew up in Delaware and Southeastern PA, and each year they spend Boxing Day on the stage playing with their family and old friends in the crowd.

“It’s a great time to reconnect with our roots,” says singer and multi-instrumentalist Heather Robb. “That area will always be our true home.”

Last year, The Spring Standards released Live from Delaware – an album documenting their 2012 shows at Arden, and this year they’re releasing a companion concert film – with animated vignettes and other flourishes – at the Boxing Day Spectacular. Continue reading →

Join folk three-piece The Spring Standards as they rock Arden Gild Hall tonight for their Boxing Day concert. Clearly, they have an affinity for the under-appreciated holiday since it’s their sixth annual show in honor of it. They’re a pretty gifted bunch as all three members are songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. The Spring Standards were named one of Pure Volume’s Best Unsigned Artists of 2012 and released their first live album Live in Delaware (recorded at last year’s Boxing Day concerts) earlier this year. Watch “Only Skin” below and get tickets for either their early set, their late set (or both) here .

The Spring Standards are bringing their acoustic indie sound to the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe tonight. Along side of their summer tour, the spontaneous trio has also found a few cozier venues to play in. Having a love for playing in living rooms, they opened up dates for a Live From A Living Room tour. Check out open dates and find more information about the doubled tour here. Find tickets and information about tonight’s show here. Below, watch The Spring Standards’ new music video for “Nightmare.”

It’s still the season of giving and what could be better than giving back with the gift of music? Tonight the Tin Angel is hosting a showcase to benefit the Hurricane Sandy victims of Union Beach. The line-up features a myriad of local performers like Foxhound, The Doublewides, Suzie Brown, Joey Sweeney as well as other surprise acts. Performances tonight kick off at 8; tickets for the 21+ show can be found on our concert calendar here. Below, watch a video of Foxhound performing at Studio 34 recently.

Jukebox the Ghost | Photo by Charlotte JacobsonEarlier this week Jukebox the Ghost announced a headlining tour that brings the band to Union Transfer in March, their biggest Philly date yet. The piano-rock trio also debuted the video for “Don’t Let Me Fall Behind,” a track off of their latest record Safe Travels. Check out the video below and get more information about the Union Transfer show with Matt Pond PA and The Spring Standards at the XPN Concert Calendar (powered by The Swollen Fox).

Summer time is for being outdoors, eating ice cream, and enjoying time with friends. You can experience that all today at the Kensington Picnic on Frankford Ave. between Susquehanna and Dauphin Street. It’s a folk-y phenomenon with performances from Meg Baird, Steve Gunn, Birds of Maya, Blues Control, and more. This free show kicks off at 1 p.m. and will go till’ it’s over. Bring your picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs for a perfect summer day. You can find more info on the picnic’s event page.

American descendant of Panamanian parents, Aloe Blacc grew up in Los Angeles and became invested in the California hip hop scene. He worked in troupes such as Emanon and Jazz Liberatorz, and began his solo career in 2006. He has released two LP’s that evoke his R&B style underneath his eclectic singing and rapping skills. He plays tonight at the TLA at 7 p.m. Tickets to this all ages show are $20. Below watch Aloe Blacc’s video for “I Need A Dollar”.

Philadelphians Oldermost produce beautifully-crafted melodies drizzled with soft-spoken vocals, delicate piano strokes and steady rhythmic drumming. You can listen to their EP Lose Your Mind on their bandcamp page. Their warm energy will be flowing tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, along with Capewrath and Daniel Ryan Belski. Tickets to this 21+ show are $10, grab yours here. Doors open at 8 p.m.

The Candlight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness is a concert series taking place in Pennington, NJ. It is a chance to raise funds and awareness about the effects of epilepsy. Tonight’s feature is righteous soulful singer Sharon Little. She recently released her sophomore album, Paper Doll.Catch her tonight at the concert while donating to a worthy cause at the same time. Doors are at 7 p.m., show at 8; tickets are $15. And if you can’t make it out to the show, you can stream it live on StageIt.com.

WXPN welcomes The Spring Standards CD Release Show to World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington, DE. They released their double EP Yellow // Gold, and it reflects their memories of growing up as folksinger children and provides a snapshot living life today in the big city. Also playing tonight is Wilmington’s own, The Spinto Band. The show starts at 8 p.m, tickets are $18-20. Below watch The Spring Standard’s official video for “Heavy Home” off the EP.

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH